Matel Hot Wheels new ProRally Sponsor
02-06-2004, 05:54 PM
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Matel Hot Wheels new ProRally Sponsor
SCCA ProRally is now the SCCA ProRally presented by Hot wheels. Interesting. The last thing my wallet needed was official rally licensed Hot Wheels.... 
http://www.scca.org/news/press04_20.html
http://www.scca.org/news/press04_20.html
TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 6, 2004 ) – The Sports Car Club of America, Inc., announced today its agreement with Mattel, Inc.’s Hot Wheels® brand, to become the presenting sponsor for the SCCA® ProRallySM Championship.
As part of the one-year agreement, which begins in 2004, the Championship will now officially be known as the “SCCA ProRally Championship presented by Hot Wheels®.”
“When we look for business partners, we seek out the best,” said Steve Johnson, SCCA President and CEO. “Just as the SCCA ProRally Championship is the leading domestic rally program, Hot Wheels is the most well-known, respected die-cast manufacturer._ Having such a high-profile brand name on board gives us a chance to further enhance the Championship and provides both sides with a unique opportunity to approach a demographic in which each has a high interest.”
In addition to being recognized at the Championship’s presenting sponsor, Hot Wheels® cars will also be recognized as the “Official Die-Cast” partner of the ProRally Championship granting all necessary licensing rights relating to the production of all SCCA ProRally-related die-cast and radio-controlled products.
“It was only natural that we form this partnership with the SCCA ProRally Championship and the SCCA – the top grassroots motorsports organization,” said John Coyne, Director of Hot Wheels Marketing. “With our new line of die-cast rally cars and rally track set to launch, our agreement with the SCCA ProRally Championship allows us to step to the front of the line and form a partnership with America’s premier Rally Championship while promoting our products.”
About the Sports Car Club of America, Inc.
Founded in 1944, the Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 60,000-plus member motorsports organization incorporating all facets of autocross, rally, and both club and professional motorsports events. It annually sanctions nearly 2,000 events through its 109 regions and professional subsidiary, SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. Landmark events for the Club include the SCCA ProRallySM Championship Presented by Hot Wheels®, the Club Racing Valvoline Runoffs® National Championship races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, The Tire Rack Solo II® National Championships and ProSolo® NationalSeries at Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan. For more information, please visit www.scca.com.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, and Fisher-Price®, which also includes Little People®, Rescue Heroes™, Power Wheels®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world’s premier toy brands - today and tomorrow.
As part of the one-year agreement, which begins in 2004, the Championship will now officially be known as the “SCCA ProRally Championship presented by Hot Wheels®.”
“When we look for business partners, we seek out the best,” said Steve Johnson, SCCA President and CEO. “Just as the SCCA ProRally Championship is the leading domestic rally program, Hot Wheels is the most well-known, respected die-cast manufacturer._ Having such a high-profile brand name on board gives us a chance to further enhance the Championship and provides both sides with a unique opportunity to approach a demographic in which each has a high interest.”
In addition to being recognized at the Championship’s presenting sponsor, Hot Wheels® cars will also be recognized as the “Official Die-Cast” partner of the ProRally Championship granting all necessary licensing rights relating to the production of all SCCA ProRally-related die-cast and radio-controlled products.
“It was only natural that we form this partnership with the SCCA ProRally Championship and the SCCA – the top grassroots motorsports organization,” said John Coyne, Director of Hot Wheels Marketing. “With our new line of die-cast rally cars and rally track set to launch, our agreement with the SCCA ProRally Championship allows us to step to the front of the line and form a partnership with America’s premier Rally Championship while promoting our products.”
About the Sports Car Club of America, Inc.
Founded in 1944, the Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 60,000-plus member motorsports organization incorporating all facets of autocross, rally, and both club and professional motorsports events. It annually sanctions nearly 2,000 events through its 109 regions and professional subsidiary, SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. Landmark events for the Club include the SCCA ProRallySM Championship Presented by Hot Wheels®, the Club Racing Valvoline Runoffs® National Championship races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, The Tire Rack Solo II® National Championships and ProSolo® NationalSeries at Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan. For more information, please visit www.scca.com.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, and Fisher-Price®, which also includes Little People®, Rescue Heroes™, Power Wheels®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world’s premier toy brands - today and tomorrow.
02-06-2004, 08:11 PM
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Yeah, its um.... interesting. SCCA has done this before, Speed World Challenge, Tire Rack Pro Solo II.
I don't think the blatant comercialism will directly hurt the sport, but it may not help either. And the Matel association without any obvious benefit might cause some harm to the sport.
On the other hand, I think having ProRally Hot Wheels will be cool.
Overall, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.
I don't think the blatant comercialism will directly hurt the sport, but it may not help either. And the Matel association without any obvious benefit might cause some harm to the sport.
On the other hand, I think having ProRally Hot Wheels will be cool.
Overall, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.
02-08-2004, 02:18 PM
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Considering the lack of manufacturer interest in ProRally this year, I think a sponsorship like this may be necessary for US rallying to survive above the shoestring-budget privateer level.
02-08-2004, 04:33 PM
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Ban Suvs may be right, the series may need a title sponsor to survive. i just wish that they could have found one that would be a better match for rallying. i'd expect Mattel to sponsor monster truck jams or something like that.
02-17-2004, 10:20 AM
#9
Personally, I'd rather have Matchbox Subarus. Regardless, this is a good thing. Subaru has also stepped on board as a series sponsor, so it looks like it'll be a good season for ProRally even if there are no factory backed teams. I for one am looking forward to ROTW more and more.
-Brian
-Brian
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